Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Embedded Software Engineer

The Sensing Engineering team at Q-CTRL transforms quantum research into deployable technologies that address real-world problems. We design, build, and field-validate an array of quantum sensors that support our key products, including Ironstone Opal - our solution for GPS-denied navigation.

You don't need a background in quantum to make an impact here. We value strong engineering fundamentals, a product mindset, and a drive to solve the hardest engineering problems in quantum sensing today.

We are seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to develop firmware for our control, sensing, and actuation systems that automate the operation of our quantum sensors. You'll primarily be developing new applications on our Xilinx Zynq + Embedded Linux platform based on requirements developed in collaboration with our research scientists to assist scientific advancement and to demonstrate our technology in the field. Our firmware is characterized by real-time constraints, data acquisition, signal processing, sequence execution, network communication, and hardware/FPGA interfacing. You will join a growing team focused on quantum sensing for defence and aerospace, and work with experts in fields such as cold-atom interferometry, magnetometry, and inertial navigation to develop state-of-the-art technology.

What you'll be doing:

• Own the design, development, integration, and support of embedded systems employed in Q-CTRL's quantum sensing and navigation systems targeting Xilinx SoC and STM32 platforms.
• Responsible for the design, implementation, and testing of control, sensing, and actuation firmware needed to autonomously operate next generation quantum sensors.
• Work as a technical lead and architect in cross-functional teams of scientists and engineers to solve novel issues in research & development and product-focused environments.
• Contribute to the success of field trials with industry partners
• Create test and simulation setups including hardware-in-the-loop test fixtures.
• Other duties within the Employee's skills and experience, or with reasonable training.

Ideally you'll have:

• Experience working in a research environment whilst collaborating with established engineering teams and research scientists.
• Experience in algorithm development for control systems and autonomous sensor operation.
• Experience as a technical lead or domain expert working as a subject matter expert in a cross functional team
• Proficiency with a systems programming language such as C, C++, or Rust.
• Experience with a hardware description language (Verilog/VHDL)
• Experience creating embedded linux distributions using tools such as Buildroot, Yocto, or Petalinux.
• Experience using an RTOS to develop microcontroller firmware.
• Desirable to have worked on embedded systems involving interfacing with FPGAs such as JESD204 and AXI interfaces.
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience qualifying or deploying systems for use in aircraft.

Q-CTRL is the global leader in AI-powered quantum control infrastructure software. We build the tools that make quantum technology useful, solving the hardest challenges in quantum computing and quantum sensing to deliver real-world impact.

Founded in 2017, we operate globally with offices in Sydney, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berlin, and Oxford. Our teams bring together technical and multi-disciplinary expertise across the product lifecycle, and we're hiring talent to help scale every part of the business. We work quickly to turn cutting-edge science into deployable technology.

In 2024 we raised US$113 million in Series B funding, the largest aggregate investment for a quantum software company. Six months later we delivered the first commercial quantum advantage with Ironstone Opal, our field-validated quantum navigation solution for defense and industry.

At Q-CTRL, we prioritize outcomes over hours. We offer flexibility, equity potential, and competitive benefits that reflect our high-performance culture. If you're ready to help shape the future of quantum, we'd love to hear from you!